Each week, DartmouthSports.com will spotlight two
outstanding student-athletes - one male, one female - as Dartmouth's Athletes
of the Week. Student-athletes may be chosen based upon their efforts both on
and off the field of competition.

Two Big Green skiers earned All-America status at the NCAA Skiing Championships last weekend out in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Thanks to the performance of juniors Ace Tarberry (North Conway, N.H.) and Rose Brennan (Park City, Utah), Dartmouth moved up a spot in the final standings to finish in fifth place. The Big Green earned its second consecutive undefeated EISL season as Tarberry and Brennan look forward to brining another NCAA title home next season as Vermont will be the host school.

Ace Tarberry gave Dartmouth a second All-America finish on Friday, March 12 at the NCAA Skiing Championships in Colorado. Tarberry, who finished second in the giant slalom on March 10, took fifth place in the slalom, nine-tenths of a second behind winner Andreas Adde of Alaska-Anchorage.

How different is the NCAA Championships when it's out west?There are a few factors that take some adjustment when competing out west. First, there is usually more snow, and it's dryer, so we have to get used to the softer conditions. We're used to firmer, icyer snow in the east. Second, getting acclimated is important. The altitude and dry air takes it out of you a little quicker. The nordics feel this much more that the alpiners.

Do you find it's harder to compete against the western teams and what do you do to bridge that gap?The western teams certainly have an advantage when it comes to reqcruiting athletes, as they can offer full scholarships that attract athletes from around the world. It's important to keep the sport fun, so we focus on that rather then the fact that we're racing against former national team members from europe. They bring intensity to the sport, which makes for good competition.

You earned All-America status. I know most athletes don't like to think of personal accolades but what was it like to earn that honor?Ever since my older brother made All-American in both events his senior year in 2008 it has been a goal of mine. I am thrilled to have made it!

How nice was it to have a second consecutive undefeated EISA season?It was great, especially considering the close margins by which we won two of the carnivals...by only 8 and 2 points. It ups the excitement when other teams are constantly on the hunt to break your undefeated record. I hope we can do it again next season.

What are some goals for next year as the team looks forward to bringing the NCAA Championships back east.Our team finished 5th at NCAA's this year, it would be nice to make it on the podium next year. We don't lose too many for next year, so I think we will have a strong chance at improving.

Junior Rosie Brennan recorded her second top-five finish, earning her first-team All America status on the last day of the NCAA Skiing Championships in Colorado. Brennan, who finished second in the 5-kilometer classical cross country race, finished fifth in the 15-kilometer freestyle. Brennan was the top finisher from an Eastern school, completing the race one minute, 22 seconds behind winner Antje Maempel of Denver, the eventual national champion.

How different is the NCAA Championships when it's out west?I am from the west originally so I love coming out here to compete. The challenging part is the altitude. It takes some practice to get used to racingup high and some time to acclimatize. We went out to the venue a week early to help, but its just a different feeling.

Do you find it's harder to compete against the western teams and what do you do to bridge that gap?The races aren't any harder, the competition is just tougher. In any championship event, you are taking the best in that league and putting themtogether so there is little room for mistakes. The western school tend to have more europeans that also tend to be quite a bit older. I just try to plan mytraining to peak for the championship event and hope to be my fastest at that time.

You earned All-America status. I know most athletes don't like to think of personal accolades but what was it like to earn that honor?I was very excited to have my best races of the year at NCAAs. I actually earned my 6th all-american race this year (top 10 at NCAAs). It is always nice when everything comes together in the end of the season, especially after a disappointing season.

How nice was it earn a second consecutive undefeated EISL season?It is great to have the strongest eastern team. We really came together in a few of the carnivals to end up sneaking in a win my just a few points. I just hope we can continue to rise at the NCAAs and beat more western teams.

What are some goals for next year as the team looks forward to bringing the NCAA Championships back east.It would be great to continue to be the most dominate team in the East and to do better in the team scoring at the championship.